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CHAP. 33.—FOREIGN BIRDS WHICH VISIT US; THE QUAIL, THE
GLOTTIS, THE CYCHRAMUS, AND THE OTUS.

Having spoken of the emigration of these birds over sea and
land, I cannot allow myself to defer mentioning some other
birds of smaller size, which have the same natural instinct:
although in the case of those which I have already mentioned,
their very size and strength would almost seem to invite them
to such habits. The quail, which always arrives among us
even before the crane, is a small bird, and when it has once
arrived, more generally keeps to the ground than flies aloft.
These birds fly also in a similar manner to those I have already
spoken of, and not without considerable danger to mariners,
when they come near the surface of the earth: for it often
happens that they settle on the sails of a ship, and that too
always in the night: the consequence of which is, that the
vessel often sinks. These birds pursue their course along a
tract of country with certain resting-places. When the south
wind is blowing, they will not fly, as that wind is always
humid, and apt to weigh them down. Still, however, it is an
object with them to get a breeze to assist them in their flight,
the body being so light, and their strength so very limited:
hence it is that we hear them make that murmuring noise as
they fly, it being extorted from them by fatigue. It is for
this reason also, that they take to flight more especially when
the north wind is blowing, having the ortygometra1 for their
leader. The first of them that approaches the earth is generally snapped up by the hawk. When they are about to return from these parts, they always invite other birds to join
their company, and the glottis, otus, and cychramus, yielding
to their persuasions, take their departure along with them.

The glottis2 protrudes a tongue of remarkable length, from
which circumstance it derives its name: at first it is quite
pleased with the journey, and sets out with the greatest ardour;
very soon, however, when it begins to feel the fatigues of the
flight, it is overtaken by regret, while at the same time it is
equally as 10th to return alone, as to accompany the others. Its
travels, however, never last more than a single day, for at the
very first resting-place they come to, it deserts: here too it
finds other birds, which have been left behind in a similar
manner in the preceding year. The same takes place with
other birds day after day. The cychramus,3 however, is much
more persevering, and is quite in a hurry to arrive at the land
which is its destination: hence it is that it arouses the quails
in the night, and reminds them that they ought to be on the
road.

The otus is a smaller bird than the horned owl, though
larger than the owlet; it has feathers projecting like ears,
whence its name. Some persons call it in the Latin language
the "asio;"4 in general it is a bird fond of mimicking, a great
parasite, and, in some measure, a dancer as well. Like the
owlet, it is taken without any difficulty; for while one person
occupies its attention, another goes behind, and catches it.

If the wind, by its contrary blasts, should begin to prevent
the onward progress of the flight, the birds immediately take
up small stones, or else fill their throats with sand, and so
contrive to ballast themselves as they fly. The seeds of a
certain venomous plant5 are most highly esteemed by the
quails as food; for which reason it is that they have been banished from our tables; in addition to which, a great repugnance
is manifested to eating their flesh, on account of the epilepsy,6
to which alone of all animals, with the exception of man, the
quail is subject.

1 The "mother of the quails." Frederic II., in his work, De Arte
Venandi, calls the "rallus," or "rail," the "leader of the quails."

3 Bellon thinks that this is the proyer, or prayer, of the French; Aldrovandus considers it to be the ortolan.

4 Gesner suggests from "asinus," an "ass;" its feathers sticking up
like the ears of that animal. Dalechamps thinks it is because its voice
resembles the braying of an ass; the name "otus" is from the Greek for
"ear."

6 "Despuisuetum." See B. xxviii. c. 7. As Hardouin says, in modern
times they are considered delicate eating; but Schenkius, Obsers. Med.
B. i., states, that if the bird has eaten hellebore, epilepsy is the consequence
to the person who partakes of its flesh.

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